Disclosed is a a recording/reproducing apparatus comprising a tape winding device (13-17) rotationally moving around a tape guide drum (9) for pulling out a tape from a tape cassette (1) and for wrapping the pulled-out tape (4) on the tape guide drum. The tape guide drum advances into an opening portion (7) of the tape cassette on the tape loading, resulting in producing a moving space of the tape winding device, and the tape winding device is rotationally moved around the tape guide drum in the produced space between the tape guide drum and the casing section (23) in response to the advancing movement of the tape guide drum. A casing section (23)of the recording/reproducing apparatus or a member operatively associated with the casing section enters into the locus of the rotational movement of the tape winding device (13-17) after the tape winding device is rotationally moved by a predetermined angle.